November 7, 2011
The November meeting of the Illowa Intergroup was called to order by
Chair
Susan F. at 7 pm with the reciting of the Serenity Prayer. Roll call
was then
taken. Those in attendance are as follows: Chair-Susan F.;
Co-Chair-Jamey C.;
Office Manager-Lisa W.; Telephone Chair-Bob S.; Events Chair-Jammie J.;
Newsletter Chair-Michelle S.; District 9-Kevin K.; District 90-Joy M.
Group representatives in attendance are as follows: Courage to Change-Pam S.; Dewitt Group-Bill M. ;Marquette-Steve K.; Sisters in Sobriety-Cheryl K; House Group-Jamie M; Central Discussion-Mike C.; Big Book Study-Ben D. ;Courage to Change alternate-Sue H; Last Chance-Ben G.; Northwest-Tim S.; Geneseo-Larry B.; Milan Hillcrest-Randy E.
Chair Susan then greeted newcomer Mike C., from Central Discussion, who was greeted by all. The Chair asked for a motion to approve minutes as published. Bill M. made motion to approve minutes, Bob S. seconded motion. A vote was taken and motion passed.
The reports of Officers are as follows:
Treasurer's
Report:
Income
Contributions
$2,159.80
Events
$ 495.67
Sales $1,768.70
Bank
dividends $
1.51
Totals $4,425.68
Expenses
General
$1,669.04
Event
$ 112.18
Literature $1,240.16
Totals
$3021.38
Total Income minus expenses $1404.30
Accounts
Checking
$ 10.76
Savings (prudent
reserve) $3,946.72
Events
$ 300.00
Totals
$4,257.48
A motion to accept the Treasurer's Report was made by Jamey C.
Bill M.
seconded. Motion was then voted on and passed.
Office Manager's Report
Call counts for the month were 8 12 -Step, 114 information, 42 visitors
and 2
Alanon.
The inventory committee came in October 12 and did a good job of
counting
everything in the office. However, the inventory has not been
updated on the
computer as I have not received the final tallies. The numbers will
have to be
changed since we have had many transactions since then. I am glad it is
being
done and I appreciate their help. The treasurer and I worked on the
quarterly
taxes and got those paid this month.
I trained 2 new volunteers this month. They are working alternate
Fridays now as well as being available for back-up when we
need a
sub. Thanks to Judi B. and Penny S. for stepping up to help! The siding
that
was damaged due to a storm several months ago has been
replaced. Please
remember to have birthdays and special events turned in by the 15th of
the preceding month for inclusion in the newsletter. Thanks!
In love and
service, Lisa W.
Telephone
Chair's Report
The Intergroup Phone rotation has all openings filled at the present
time but
the back-up list has only 5 people on it. We would like to have more
names, if
possible, of people interested in helping with the phones. Any sponsors
that
have sponsee that they could recommend for the phone list-they are very
much
appreciated and badly needed. We still need a volunteer for the phones
on
Thanksgiving Day, while the office is closed. Please have them contact
Lisa or
call me, Bob S. at 563-349-1878. We will help get them into service on
the
list. In love and service, Bob S.
Newsletter
Chair's report
The newsletter went out on October 27th before all business meetings.
This
month the 85 newsletters cost 43.66 to print and $35.20 to mail ($0.93
per
newsletter). Remember each flyer pays $7 to be in the issue. After this
is subtracted,
it is $0.76 per newsletter. All groups receive a
complimentary copy and we have approximately 60 subscriptions at $13/yr or$1.08/month.As always, if you would like to submit an article, please e-mail it to shell@mchsi.com .
Group reports received are as follows: Bettendorf
Intergroup
Report: I attended our Bettendorf business meeting on Oct.12th.All
is going
well. This past Saturday, Nov.5th, we had a Sponsorship workshop that
was very
informative for sponsors, sponsorees and people looking for sponsors.
If you
are looking for a later meeting, Bettendorf Group has a 10 pm meeting
on Friday night. We are also having our elections Nov.16th. Bettendorf
meeting room
will be open all day on Thanksgiving.
In love and service, Karen K.
Courage to Change: Attendance is steady.
Inventory Ad Hoc Committee Report
Inventory done on 10/12/11-took 5 hours with 3 people. We suggest that
we just
keep the Big Books and 12&12s in stock and everything else be
ordered. We
have a lot of inventory that has been there for a long time. Committee
will
report and give ideas on how to move this inventory next month
(pamphlets that
are 5+ yrs old on shelves, etc.). District 9 has racks to keep old
inventory
stocked, for those who may want it.
Final Report from Ad Hoc Moving Committee
At the October meeting, a motion was made to form a committee to
look
more in depth and gather information on other places to house
Intergroup. The
committee members viewed many properties in both Iowa and Illinois. We
found
three suitable properties. Note that each of the properties is smaller
than
what we are currently housed in, but each are suited in size and all
are more
business-like than what we are currently housed in.
We spoke very thoroughly to our accountant Rick who confirmed that
since we are
NOT incorporated there are no issues with the state we are located in,
regardless
of whether it is Iowa OR Illinois. B).Iowa does not charge
not-for-profits tax
as Illinois does ,so if we moved to Iowa, we would see a small decrease
in that
tax obligation/filing. C).There is nothing from an accountant
standpoint that would
preclude us from moving to Iowa. We would apply for a sales tax
exemption, which
is a simple form and there is no reason to think it would not be
granted. We
spoke to our insurance agent who said our business plan package would
not
change if we moved to Iowa. Iowa is more favorable to employers
regarding
workmen compensation insurance. He stated that we would probably see no
change
in our insurance, because we carry the minimum amount, as we have only
one
employee who does not make a large amount. If we saw any change it
would be a
$50 decrease per year at best. Vonage does not care where we are
located. We
just need our Vonage router there, which requires a certain
amount of high
speed internet .I spoke with Elliott W., who helped us get set up with
Vonage,
and he is happy to help in any way he can We would keep our same
telephone
number. GSO states that many groups/intergroups sign leases .No
problems with
traditions in that regards.
The conclusion: THERE IS NOTHING PREVENTING US FROM MOVING TO IOWA IF
THAT
SUITS OUR NEEDS. As with any move there will be some relocation charges
for Internet.
The costs will vary depending on the company we choose to contract with
for
that service.
1. In Rock Island in the Rock Island Plaza. Is 300 dollars with a
1 year
lease, renegotiations after the first year, and include
utilities. No
yard or parking maintenance. A parking lot is provided. We
would be
responsible for telephone and Internet expenses as well as optional
needs and
no kitchen. Handicap accessible.
2. In the Union Building in downtown Davenport. The rent is 300 a
month
including utilities. No yard or parking maintenance. No parking
lot. Street parking or on the ramp nearby. We would be
responsible
for Internet and phone and other needs. No kitchen.
Handicap
accessible.
3. In the Midtown Plaza building in Davenport. We are offered a
long term
lease with a graduated rent starting at 281 per month to a maximum
rent of
304 dollars and the last year of the lease and includes
utilities.
No yard or parking maintenance. A parking lot is provided.
Internet
or phone and other needs not included. Handicap
accessible.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A MOVE TO OPTION 3 DUE TO THE RENT
CONTROLLED LEASE AND
LOCATION.
A discussion on the report and recommendation followed. A motion was
made by Jamey
C. (seconded by Bob S.) to give notice November 22nd, to move to
Midtown Plaza, option 3. Karen K. gave a friendly amendment to motion:
To give notice on
the 15th of November, if accepted. Chair gave
clarification of
Bylaws, stating we need a quorum, which is 12. We have a quorum. A
majority would
pass it. A vote was then taken, 15 yay---5 nay. The opposition then
gave their
concerns. One person wanted to change vote. Vote was then
retaken-14 yay
---6 nay. Motion passed.
Other new business
ISCYPAA
left prize. ISCYPAA Host Committee for Illinois State Conference;
announced
events-event to support Intergroup-1st Edition Big Book Raffle. See
Jamey C. if
interested.
Susan F. presented a newsletter competition. She will donate an
AA book
of the winner's choice to the Intergroup Rep, officer or chair who
sells the
most subscriptions to newsletter by December 31, 2011.
The
meeting was then adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.
Respectively submitted, in love and service, Joni K.